New Delhi, Oct 16 (KNN) Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Government of India will be showcasing India’s strength as major hub for organic food products, ingredients, commodities and processed food at the 10th edition of Biofach India, scheduled to be held from 25th-27th October 2018 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Biofach India 2018, the largest event of organic agriculture and organic food sector of India having the presence of entire organic agriculture and food fraternity from across the country is being organized jointly by the NurnbergMesse India and Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

More than 500 delegates  comprising of exporters, processors, retail chain industry, certification bodies and producers from India and abroad will be participating in the Biofach 2018, the trade Fair-cum-Exhibition to discuss and have first hand feel of the Indian organic products including tea, spices, honey, basmati rice, coffee, cereals, dry fruits, vegetables, processed foods and medicinal plant.

The major highlight of the Biofach 2018 will be setting up of an organic theme pavilion by APEDA having direct display of items and to provide direct business opportunity to India organic food product producers with visiting international buyers through B2B and B2S meets.

APEDA is inviting and sponsoring more than 50 buyers from important importing countries for direct market linkages of producers with international trade.

Entire organic agriculture fraternity comprising of organic products exporters, retailers, traders, processors, ICS management bodies, certification bodies and certified organic farmer groups will be present at the 3 day event showcasing wide variety of organic products being produced under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) under APEDA.

The demand for organic agriculture products produced is on constant increase world wide as Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

As on 31st March 2018, total area under organic certification process (registered under National Program for Organic Production) was 3.56 million Hectare (2017-18). This includes 1.78 million hectare (50%) cultivable area and another 1.78 million Hectare (50%) for wild harvest collection.

Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. During 2016, Sikkim had achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 76000 ha) under organic certification.

India produced around 1.70 million MT (2017-18) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Oil Seeds, Sugar cane, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, Pulses, Medicinal Plants, Tea, Fruits, Spices, Dry Fruits, Vegetables, Coffee etc. The production is not limited to the edible sector but also produces organic cotton fibre and functional food products.

In terms of commodities oil seeds are the single largest category followed by sugar crops, cereals and millets, fibre crops, pulses, medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants and spices and condiments.

The total volume of export during 2017-18 was 4.58 lakh MT. The organic food export realization was around INR 3453.48 crore (515.44 million USD). Organic products are exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan.

The major demands under the organic product category are for flax seeds, sesame and soybean; pulses such as Arhar (red gram), chana (pigeon pea); and rice, along with tea and medicinal plants.